True Love Tuesday Deborah and Nathan Lyons... - Getting Married in Northern Ireland Magazine

Hitting the Right Note
Deborah and Nathan’s relationship started out as a long distance one whilst they were both studying hard as student teachers. It was all worth it though when they finally tied the knot in Greenisland in July 2021.

The couple met back in Summer 2016 whilst working at a summer scheme in a local primary school.
“I started talking to Nathan first and made the connection that his mum was the principal in the school where I had completed my teaching placement. We spent the summer chatting and getting to know each other,” Deborah told us.
After the summer scheme Nathan set off to Plymouth to study. Deborah soon arrived over to visit him. “I flew over to Plymouth to visit Nathan and he asked me out on the 18th September on a beautiful beach in St. Ives in Cornwall.” While they both studied at their respective universities they flew back and forth to spend time together.

During the summer of 2018 the couple embarked on a trip along the west coast of the United States, it was there that Nathan popped the question. “We went to San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Monterey and then on to Lake Tahoe. When we were at Lake Tahoe on the 7th August 2018, we went for a walk around Emerald Bay State Park. It was so stunning! On the walk back, Nathan told me to go and stand beside the lake to take a photograph and when I turned round, he was down on one knee with the most gorgeous ring asking me to marry him!” Deborah told us. The bride-to-be was thrilled with the marquise style ring Nathan had chosen for her at Lunn’s. The excited couple had to wait until the next morning to share the news with their family and friends due to the time difference!
Despite having to postpone their wedding date for almost a year due to Covid restrictions, Deborah and Nathan both really enjoyed the planning of their big day. Nathan particularly enjoyed the food tasting at Ballygally Castle.
Deborah’s hunt for the perfect dress took her down a road she had not expected, “LA Bridal in Carrickfergus was the final bridal dress shop that I was going to with my mum and my maid of honour. I tried on lots of different dresses that I had pictures of on my phone but then my mum pointed to a strapless dress and said, ‘try that one on Deborah.’ I never imagined myself in a strapless dress but when I tried it on, I felt like a bride and it was just perfect for me,” she said.
Deborah complemented her dream dress with a custom-made veil and headpiece from Deborah K design.
Deborah chose three of her best friends as bridesmaids. Hannah has been a close friend for many years, Becky met Deborah on the first day of University and Kate is Deborah’s sister-in-law.
“They really are the best friends anyone could wish for, and I am so glad they were all by my side on my wedding day,” said the bride.
Deborah’s little niece completed the bridal party wearing a pretty white dress.

Nathan chose his brother Aaron to be best man and his uncle Martin as groomsman. Deborah’s brother and nephew assisted as ushers and her other nephew made a handsome page boy. All the men were dressed by Hire Class in Belfast, “Chris was fantastic with fitting all the men in for their suit fittings. I would highly recommend Hire Class!” said Deborah.
The wedding ceremony took place on the 16th July 2021 in the Church of Ireland in Greenisland with 90 guests in attendance. The bride walked down the aisle with her father to the piano piece I Giorni by Ludovico Einaudi played by her mother. This moment was a highlight for both the bride and the groom, “Nathan said I took his breath away, “said Deborah, “It was the most incredible feeling walking down the aisle and being surrounded by your nearest and dearest on the best day of your life.”
After the ceremony the newlyweds were joined at Ballygally Castle where they were welcomed by an ice cream cart and musician Raymie Eastwood playing the guitar, “The sun was shining and everyone was dancing outside in the Ballygally Castle gardens having a wonderful time,” Deborah told us.
During the meal Deborah’s parents surprised everyone with a singing chef from Cameoflage. “Everything was perfect and exactly the way we wanted it. It was a beautiful day from start to finish,” said the newlyweds.
The couple danced together to Never Seen Anything (Quite Like You) by The Script.
Mr and Mrs Lyons continued their celebrations with a break at the Farnham Estate in County Cavan and then set off on a trip to England where they took in Bristol, Bath, Cornwall and Devon.
For the bride, married life is everything she had dreamed of and more!